Soft Tissue Sonosim
The layers of soft and hard tissue visible while performing a simple extremity (e.g., forearm) ultrasound
scan include: dermis, subcutaneous tissue (hypodermis), subcutaneous fascia, muscle, tendon,
vasculature, and bone. - Answer-True
Which probe should generally be used when scanning soft tissues? - Answer-High-frequency linear
probe
Which of the following statements is (are) true regarding anisotropy? - Answer--It is evident when
imaging muscles and tendons.
-It is a false hypoechogenicity resulting from oblique ultrasound beams.
-Its presence can be confirmed by tilting the probe at slight angles to the tendon or muscle and noting
varying degrees of echogenicity.
Anisotropy is an artifact that requires changing gain settings to overcome. - Answer-False
Tendons are hyperechoic when compared to muscles. - Answer-True
Which of the following statements regarding muscle tissue appearance on ultrasound is (are) correct? -
Answer--In the long axis, the muscle appears to have long striae that are hyperechoic.
-Muscle is surrounded by hyperechoic fascia.
-In the short axis, the muscular striae appear to have a punctate appearance.
, Which of the following structures are matched appropriately with respective echogenicity? - Answer-
Bone is hyperechoic and exhibits shadowing
Fractures cannot be seen with ultrasound. - Answer-False
Joint spaces can be differentiated from fractures by __________. - Answer--noting a smooth curved-end
to both bone margins
-observing a "Seagull Sign"
-the lack of surrounding soft-tissue edema
Which statement best describes the appearance of cellulitis on ultrasound? - Answer-Diffuse islands of
hyperechoic soft tissue outlined by thin layers of anechoic fluid
Which of the following statements is (are) correct regarding the use of ultrasound in assessing soft-
tissue infections? - Answer--Ultrasound enables clear delineation of the margins of an abscess
-Hyperechoic debris can sometimes be seen swirling within a larger hypoechoic area if an abscess is
present
-Ultrasound helps distinguish a localized abscess from cellulitis
A soft-tissue ultrasound scan has better sensitivity and specificity for abscess identification than a
physical exam. - Answer-True
Cobblestoning of the subcutaneous tissue always implies an infectious process like cellulitis. - Answer-
False
A 3.5 MHz curved-abdominal transducer may occasionally be successfully used as an alternative to
standard linear transducers for soft-tissue imaging. - Answer-True
The layers of soft and hard tissue visible while performing a simple extremity (e.g., forearm) ultrasound
scan include: dermis, subcutaneous tissue (hypodermis), subcutaneous fascia, muscle, tendon,
vasculature, and bone. - Answer-True
Which probe should generally be used when scanning soft tissues? - Answer-High-frequency linear
probe
Which of the following statements is (are) true regarding anisotropy? - Answer--It is evident when
imaging muscles and tendons.
-It is a false hypoechogenicity resulting from oblique ultrasound beams.
-Its presence can be confirmed by tilting the probe at slight angles to the tendon or muscle and noting
varying degrees of echogenicity.
Anisotropy is an artifact that requires changing gain settings to overcome. - Answer-False
Tendons are hyperechoic when compared to muscles. - Answer-True
Which of the following statements regarding muscle tissue appearance on ultrasound is (are) correct? -
Answer--In the long axis, the muscle appears to have long striae that are hyperechoic.
-Muscle is surrounded by hyperechoic fascia.
-In the short axis, the muscular striae appear to have a punctate appearance.
, Which of the following structures are matched appropriately with respective echogenicity? - Answer-
Bone is hyperechoic and exhibits shadowing
Fractures cannot be seen with ultrasound. - Answer-False
Joint spaces can be differentiated from fractures by __________. - Answer--noting a smooth curved-end
to both bone margins
-observing a "Seagull Sign"
-the lack of surrounding soft-tissue edema
Which statement best describes the appearance of cellulitis on ultrasound? - Answer-Diffuse islands of
hyperechoic soft tissue outlined by thin layers of anechoic fluid
Which of the following statements is (are) correct regarding the use of ultrasound in assessing soft-
tissue infections? - Answer--Ultrasound enables clear delineation of the margins of an abscess
-Hyperechoic debris can sometimes be seen swirling within a larger hypoechoic area if an abscess is
present
-Ultrasound helps distinguish a localized abscess from cellulitis
A soft-tissue ultrasound scan has better sensitivity and specificity for abscess identification than a
physical exam. - Answer-True
Cobblestoning of the subcutaneous tissue always implies an infectious process like cellulitis. - Answer-
False
A 3.5 MHz curved-abdominal transducer may occasionally be successfully used as an alternative to
standard linear transducers for soft-tissue imaging. - Answer-True
